Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri yesterday unveiled his "dream team" of economic advisers - which includes 47 experts in sectors ranging from macro-economics to law - so the country's future growth can be ensured.
The "dream team" has been divided into 10 groups to focus on several different areas including macro-economics, commerce, labour, energy and environment, industry, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, logistics and law.
Just after he was appointed, Trairong had told
The Nation that he would focus on four key strategies to drive the country's economic growth - agriculture and energy, industry, logistics and creative economy.He pointed out that this plan had been drawn up to prepare the country's economy for the next 30 to 40 years. In addition, he said, he believed in the prediction during the G3 - US, EU and Japan - meeting last year that the global economy would start prospering by 2012. So, he said, Thailand should prepare for upcoming wealth.
Trairong said he wanted to see the Thai economy move towards a sustainable future where industrial and agricultural sectors go together. This, he said, would prioritise alternative energy production in the country's production plan.
"Thailand is fertile and can grow anything, which is why we should focus on agriculture-based strength," Trairong said.
In addition, the Kingdom's productivity should be upgraded to ensure competitiveness in the long run.
The team of advisers' most important role is to come up with a blueprint for Thailand's economy.
As part of the team, Teerana Bhongmakapat, a Chulalongkorn University economist; Praipol Kommsup, a Monetary Policy Group member and economics lecturer from Thammasat University; Chawin Leenabanchong, a Thammasat University economics lecturer; Sakon Varanyuwatana, an economist with Thammasat University; Poosana Preemanoch, a former DTAC executive and telecom tycoon; Veerathai Santipraphob, vice president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand; Benjarong Suwankiri, an economist from Cornell University; and Khan Prachuab-moh, former managing director Government Housing Bank, would be in charge of macro-economics.
Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, former permanent-secretary for Commerce Ministry; Chaipat Sahasakul, secretary-general of the Agricultural Futures Trading Commission; and Somchai Samaisut, vice president of CPF subsidiary Bangkok Livestock Processing; would be in charge of commerce.
The labour sector would be handled by Juthathawat Intarasuksri, former permanent-secretary for Labour Ministry; and Manus Kosol, chairman of the National Congress of Thai Labour; while energy and environment would be overseen by Samai Jai-in from the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre; and Cherdpong Siriwit, former Energy Ministry permanent-secretary.
To strengthen the country's productivity, the industrial sector will be taken care by
Chakramon Phasukavanich, former permanent-secretary of the Finance Ministry and a Monetary Policy Committee member; Santi Villassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries; Seree Julasaksrisakul, president of King Pac Industrial; and Manu Leopairote, former permanent secretary of Industry Ministry.
Science and technology will be overseen by Sakarin Bhumirat, senior adviser at the National Biotechnology Centre; while the farm sector will led by Amnuay Patise; Nipon Wongtra-ngarn; Apichart Jongsakul, secretary-general of Agricultural Economics Office; and Prasit Boonchoey, former president of the Thai Rice Farmers Association.
